Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 so im planning on making a diy ato and was wondering what everyones oppinion was on whether i should use the electric floatswitch or a floatvalve which is more reliable and any other info reguarding diy ato's that would b important to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Really depends on your setup. I use floatswitches because i would rather not rely on a valve which has access to an unlimited supply of water. Should that valve fail, there is no backup to stop the RO unit from flooding the tank. You also need to be able to run the RO line to your sump which wasn't an option for me. When using floatswitches its always best to use a relay and a fail safe back floatswitch. I've had 1 floatswitch fail in 8 years, and thanks to doing it correctly, all i lost was the one floatswitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 double post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 ok so i should get 2 switches and place the second higher in the sump so if the first goes bad the second will kick in? something i did forget to mention is i dont have an ro unit and will likely start out buying ro water so to get water from resovoir to sump should i use a specific type of pump or will any power head or pump work? and also is there a specific brand of switch that is better or can i just pick anything up i saw on ebay they have a lot of different ones and i also noticed there are horizontal and vertical any big differences in preformance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Yah 2 switches, the higher one has the float flipped upside down and doesn't touch water so the circuit is always open. Should the bottom switch fail causing the pump to keep pumping in topoff water, once it reaches the 2nd higher up switch it pushes the float up causing the circuit to close. Yah you can use pretty much any pump, i would suggest an aqualifter. They are cheap, work great and last a long time. All the topoff stuff i got from aquahub.com: 2 i-float switches moldable holder relay relay socket (don't really need this, use female spade connectors instead) aqualifter I used an old cell phone charger for the transformer. Head to the dollar store and snag an extension cord and you are set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 what size of relay would b adequate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 10 amps would be plenty. I found some pics of my floatswitches and relay with the project box i made out of acrylic for it. You can come check this out anytime by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gill Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Here is a pick of my DIY ATO. It was cheap, simple and works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 so would this b a good deal? http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html and then an extra $15 for the aqualifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 gill does the use of a timer make it a fair assumption that i would need to figure out my evap rate per day and time accordingly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 so would this b a good deal? http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html and then an extra $15 for the aqualifter I wouldn't get the kit, there is stuff there you don't need. 2 aquahub i-float float switches $13.98 1 12V relay $7.99 1 Mold-a-Holder (9 inch) $3.95 2 i-float tubing adapters $3.98 Plus the aqualifter, and i'm sure you have an old transformer laying around your house somewhere. I know i've got about 10 of them (laugh) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 so would this b a good deal? http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html and then an extra $15 for the aqualifter I wouldn't get the kit, there is stuff there you don't need. 2 aquahub i-float float switches $13.98 1 12V relay $7.99 1 Mold-a-Holder (9 inch) $3.95 2 i-float tubing adapters $3.98 Plus the aqualifter, and i'm sure you have an old transformer laying around your house somewhere. I know i've got about 10 of them (laugh) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 ok thanks a lot and maybe i will come check urs out sometime i still need to make a trip over to eugene to get some weldon and then maybe i will have u help me with that sump when i come over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Yah sounds good let me know when and i'll see if i'm free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 ok will do thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gill Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 gill does the use of a timer make it a fair assumption that i would need to figure out my evap rate per day and time accordingly? Nope, you just set it to come on a couple times a day. When the float valve closes the pump just keeps running, but it doesn't hurt it. I did have to set it to stay on for longer these last couple of days because I have had a lot of eveperation due to the heat. P.S. I personally would never use a float swith unless I had to, IE a nano tank with limited space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I use both a float valve and a switch. Float switch in the sump hooked up to my RKE - float valve with electronic solenoid for my makeup water in the garage - I usually have about 35 gallons on hand. What I like about the solenoid setup is if you lose power the default is CLOSED = no flooding In the sump I have two switches - one to turn on the ATo and the second to catch it IF/WHEN the first switch does not trigger to an off position when full! Has not failed me yet. The ONE problem I have had is I have no switch to alert me if my sump level gets TOO low (I use a 5 gallon bucket for ato). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 Ya im considering getting a third switch and wiring it up to a buzzer to let me know when my reservoir is low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 +1 on Impurs system. I use both mechanical and electric on different tanks. I used the JBJ kits and couldn't be happier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I run this on my garage makeup water - I have a ton of the acrylic frames, just need to order more float switches and solenoids and I can make more I run a bit different setup on my tank ATO as I use the TOM aqualifter pump and the float switches are hooked up to the RKE The solenoid defaults to off with no power, good idea as it helps to avoid floods during power issues: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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